Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum Tea
- Allow 7 to 14 days
Chrysanthemum tea is made from the whole dried flower heads of Chrysanthemum morifolium, known as ju hua in Chinese herbal tradition and drunk as an everyday tea for centuries. The flowers open out as they steep and give a clear, pale gold cup with a soft, honeyed floral taste and no caffeine.
Key Benefits
- Caffeine free: an easy cup for the afternoon or last thing at night.
- Whole, uncut flowers: dried chrysanthemum flowers keep their shape, so you can see exactly what you're brewing, and they bloom again in the pot.
- Mild and lightly sweet: a delicate floral flavour with a faint herbal bitterness at the finish. Most people drink it plain or with a little honey.
- Several steeps from one pot: the usual way to drink it is to top the flowers up with hot water two or three times as you go.
- Good hot or iced: chrysanthemum flower tea is one of the standard teas at yum cha, and sweetened and chilled it's a refreshing summer drink.
- The classic partner for goji: chrysanthemum and goji berry tea is the best-known pairing, long drunk as a traditional tea for tired eyes.
To make chrysanthemum tea, put 4 to 6 flowers (a few more if they're small) in a cup or small teapot and pour over 250 ml of water just off the boil, around 90 to 95 C. Cover and steep for 3 to 5 minutes, until the flowers swell and the tea turns pale gold. When you get near the bottom, top the flowers up with hot water and go again.
For chrysanthemum tea with goji berries, add 8 to 10 Goji Berries with the flowers and sweeten with honey or rock sugar if you like. For iced tea, brew a pot at double strength, sweeten it while it's hot, then chill. A few flowers dropped into a pot of Sencha Green Tea or Jasmine Bud Tea add a soft floral note.
Store the flowers in an airtight container away from light and moisture.
Chrysanthemums flower in autumn, and on the Double Ninth Festival, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, people have long climbed hills, admired the flowers and drunk chrysanthemum wine. The poet Tao Yuanming, who grew chrysanthemums along the fence on the east side of his house, is usually credited with popularising the custom.
Chrysanthemum literally means golden flower. In Australia the chrysanthemum is the traditional Mother's Day flower, because it's in season in May and its nickname is mum.
Chrysanthemums are listed as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep the dried flowers and any leftover tea out of their reach.
Avoid if you're allergic to daisy-family plants such as ragweed, chamomile or marigolds. Check with your doctor first if you take immunosuppressant medication. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
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